AUSTRALIA Post has halted mail delivery to areas around Rathdowney considered high risk but the local post office is open for business and serving as the information hub for many local residents.
Postmistress Tracey Kerr said she had been notified by Australia Post that no mail should be delivered to Palen Creek, Barney View and Running Creek because of fires in the area.
"I have had a bit of flak from some customers in Running Creek which is not affected by the fires but the post office is still operational and people can come and collect their mail," she said.
"The Palen Creek Correctional Centre inmates have been evacuated to Ipswich so I am forwarding their mail on.
"There were about 130 prisoners so today there were at least 50 letters and 20 parcels and even more yesterday."
Ms Kerr said customers often came into the post office or rang at all hours to get an update on the fire situation.
"I don't mind, and our local police officer keeps me updated every day," she said.
"At the moment we have the highway closed and I am able to tell people that back burning has been done today, with nobody evacuated by order and some self-evacuating and directed to Beaudesert Showgrounds where they have a place of refuge set up."
Customer Tony Ward from the Rathdowney Memorial Grounds and the local community hall said the town was keen to help anyone who was in crisis due to the fires.
"We are here to help, not hinder," he said. "If that means feeding or housing people then we can do that.
"We would also like people to know that the town is very much open for business and the Rathdowney Markets will go ahead as planned on Sunday from 8am."
